John Resch

Early Friday afternoon, April 17, 2015, John “Jack” Christopher Resch Jr. of Waco peacefully left this earth and joyfully met his Savior face to face. A Celebration of Life for Jack is scheduled for Friday, April 24th at 11:00 a.m. at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Robinson. Executive Pastor David Cozart will be officiating. Visitation will follow the celebration. Jack was born May 2, 1930 in Houston, Texas to Lauretta Morton and John C. Resch. As a boy, Jack’s passion for horses was clear, leading him to major in Agriculture at Texas A&I College in Kingsville. While there, he pursued his dream of becoming a calf roper on the professional rodeo circuit. Jack was also a cowboy on the famous King Ranch. These adventures led him as far as delivering 500 head of a new breed of King Ranch cattle—the Santa Gertudis—to Australia in 1952. While participating at the San Antonio Rodeo, Jack met Mary Ann Smith. The two rodeo sweethearts were married in September, 1952. They were blessed with three children—Jo Beth, Fran, and Jackie Resch. While living in El Campo, TX, Jack established The Jack Resch Saddle Company creating the best saddles around. From there they moved to Austin to work for the Steiner Saddle company, and continued to perfect his roping skills and train horses. But in 1969 the family of five moved to Waco for Jack to work as a sales representative for Ozark Leather Company, considered the best saddles in the Southwest. Jack was also involved in his community as he served as a faithful member of Midway ISD’s school board from 1973-1976. The only thing on earth more important to Jack than horses was his family. Whether it was watching Jo Beth dance, Fran playing basketball or Jackie playing football—Jack was in the stands, cheering on his Midway Panthers. This support continued when his grandchildren were born. He and Mary Ann travelled all over the country (with a gigantic camera in hand) to encourage them in golf tournaments, volleyball, track, baseball, Quarter Horse Cutting and football. Some of his most precious memories were when he was surrounded by his family on the 4th of July in Lake City, Colorado. For the last forty years, every summer he would make the trek to the tiny village nestled in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of the southwest Colorado Rockies. Jack is survived by his bride of more than sixty years—Mary Ann Resch, his daughters Jo Beth and Fran, their husbands Ron Peoples of Weatherford, and Steve Ostrom of Robinson, and a son John “Jackie” Christopher Resch III and his wife Kyle Drummer of Los Angeles, California. Jack and Mary Ann have seven grandchildren: Lindsey Ostrom, Kelsey Peoples, T.J. Peoples, Kenny Resch, Cole Resch, Meaghan Perkins and her husband Ray, and Paige Brooks and her husband Wesley. He also had the joy of knowing two great grandchildren—his “Princess” and “Little Buddy” Josie and Caleb Brooks. He was also very proud of numerous nieces and nephews scattered from San Antonio to Fort Worth. He loved his big sister Nell and her husband Bob Klaus, as well as his other brother-sister in laws Curtis & Fray Coates and Wayland and Annette Moody. We want to thank Providence Hospice group for caring for dad in his last days, Encompass Home Health for their dedication to helping make his life more comfortable the last 2 years, Dr. Robert Anderson and staff from Texas Oncology and Dr. Joseph Nipper.
If you would like to make a Donation in lieu of flowers you may make one to Meadowbrook Baptist Church, 1207 N. Old Robinson Rd., Robinson, TX 76706 in Jack’s name.